Saber-type dating based on the characteristics of the hilt.

[Richard R.]

Hello,

For research purposes, I am looking for comparative sabres that have the same type of elaborately designed knuckle bow (hand guard) as saber 1 und 2 below. It would be even better if the langets were decorated with lictor bundles and flags (trophies of arms), Saber 1 und 3 below, or if they had a straight quillion that ends in an animal head as saber 3 shown.

Can anyone tell me whether the “lictor bundle on flags” on langets refers to a specific military unit?

I would also be interested to hear your opinion on whether the specific characteristics of this type of hilt date from before or after 1800, and to which country they are most likely to be attributed.

Thank you

[Hotspur]

Generally no.

The panoplies are usually generic.

Yellow hilts for artillery and navy. Silver for infantry

In the genre of US militia swords, private purchase was private purchase. Anything went but there were some expectations with federal weapons.

Cheers
GC

[Hotspur]

A langet that was probably for NY militia

Ames had early contracts for the army and as mentioned, yellow for artillery, silver for infantry (1836)

Cheers
GC